Canada’s official overseas delegation mark the 100th anniversary of Canada’s Hundred Days and the end of the First World War

OTTAWA – The Government of Canada will mark the 100th anniversary of Canada’s Hundred Days and the end of the First World War by sending an official delegation to Belgium to take part in ceremonies and events from November 9 to11, 2018. The delegation will include Canadian Veterans, youth, and parliamentarians, as well as ceremonial support from the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. A contingent of the Canadian Armed Forces made up of regiments with a connection to those that fought in the closing battles of the war will be featured prominently in many events in Belgium during this period.

At some events, special guests will include Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada; the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence; Brigadier-General Darlene Quinn, Commander of Canada’s Formation Europe; descendants of George Lawrence Price; Canadian Armed Forces members with family connections to the First World War; and, Veterans.

Media are invited to cover the various events and activities marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. The delegation will attend numerous events during their stay in Belgium, including commemorative ceremonies, wreath layings, as well as making visits to local war cemeteries and locations of historical significance for the First World War.

Date: Friday, November 9, 2018

18:00 Central European Time (CET) – Vimy, France:

Tribute to Canada’s Fallen Heroes at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. The Government of Canada will host a candlelight ceremony honouring the valour, service and sacrifice of the people of Canada and Newfoundlandduring the First World War. The event will include musical and ceremonial performances by the Canadian Armed Forces, an Indigenous spiritual ceremony and dance, and a unique and moving 3-D presentation projected on the Vimy Memorial.

19:00 Central European Time (CET) – Quiévrain, Belgium

A ceremony will follow the torchlight march of two kilometres with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and inauguration of “Canadian Square,” immediately followed by the opening of an exhibition and a festive liberation ball with an optional beer tasting specially brewed for the event.

Date: Saturday, November 10, 2018

11:00 Central European Time (CET) – Mons, Belgium

A signature commemorative ceremony will take place at Saint-Symphorien Cemetery where George Ellison of the Royal Irish Lancers and George Price of the Canadian Infantry are buried. Ellison and Price were killed on November 11, 1918, and are believed to be the last Commonwealth combat casualties of the war in Europe.

Private George Lawrence Price is believed to be the last Canadian soldier to die in battle during the First World War. The Municipality of Le Roeulx will inaugurate a new monument in honour of Private Price near the place where he fell on November 11, 1918. A remembrance ceremony in his honour will be held on site. For further information: www.memorialprice.org/en

Date: Sunday, November 11, 2018

11:00 Central European Time (CET) – Mons Belgium

Ceremony at Mons Municipal Cemetery, which is the resting place of the largest number of Canadian soldiers in the region (57).

15:30 Central European Time (CET) – Mons, Belgium

Liberation parade and ceremony in the Grand-Place. As in November 1918, a large parade with all Canadian regiments succeeding those who participated in “The Pursuit to Mons” will take place to remember their passage through the Grand Place.

Veterans Affairs Canada is working with a Canadian Armed Forces Combat Camera (CFCC) team in Europe that will be able to accommodate a limited number of Canadian media wishing to conduct HD-quality live or live-to-tape interviews using Dejero equipment following certain events. Due to necessary technical planning requirements, media are urged to communicate to VAC their desire to conduct remote interviews no later than 4 p.m. EST on November 7, 2018.